Looks on Campus: Caroline
This week, I ran into Caroline as she was getting ice cream on a rainy day! Not only was that unusual, but she was also wearing stripes with snake skin print leggings…gasp! I was so intrigued by her bold ensemble, how could I not ask her about her unique style?!
Who I Spotted:
Name: Caroline
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona*
Age: 17
Year in College: Freshman
Major: Journalism
Hobbies/Interests: “I love dancing, especially salsa and hip-hop. I also swim!”
Describe your style: “I’m urban, but casual, and occasionally, edgy.”
Who or what inspires your style? “I love Rihanna’s style! I also look for random patterns that will give me inspiration…once I find one I like I go off of that.”
Where do you like to shop? “I go to Forever 21 a lot, but I also love finding random stores and boutiques that no one has heard of!”
Why did you choose this particular outfit? “I kind of threw it together, but I wanted to base it off of the color gray.”
*I promise I’m trying to find more participants from places other than Arizona. Forgive me! =)
Elements of Caroline’s Outfit:
1. Mixed Patterns and Colors!
The most obvious element of Caroline’s outfit is her mix of prints and colors. Not feeling as brave as Caroline? Try dresses that already have a pattern and color mixture, so you don’t have to put one together on your own! See my favorite below, from Urban Outfitters!
You can also take a number of combinations from Caroline’s outfit for inspiration. Do you like Caroline’s Juicy Couture Top? (Available at Bluefly.) Make an outfit inspirited by lace, pink, and stripes! Do you like Caroline’s snake skin and purple mixture? Base an outfit off those two things for your next big night out! Here are some examples:
Product Information: Black Cardigan- Charlotte Russe, Striped T- Forever 21, Black Mary Janes- Endless.com, Lace Skirt- Arden B, Gold Necklace- Juicy Couture (at Shopbop)
Product Information: Snake Skin Clutch- Macy’s, Purple Dress- Delia’s, Brown Bangle- Forever 21, Bronze Heels- Zappos
2) Bright Sneakers!
You may have read my post on colorful sneakers, but in case you haven’t, I’ve been spotting these ALL over campus. I think they are such a fun way to add color and spunk to an outfit- and this is coming from someone who avoids sneakers like the plague.
3) Color, color, and more color!
Caroline also had really bright nail polish on that almost matched the hue of her shoes! I love the idea of bright nail polish all year round!
Thin braided or woven bracelets can be a great way to add a bit of color to your outfit without being too overbearing, plus they are very youthful and quirky.
Another Look Inspired by Caroline:
Product Information: Striped Tunic- TopShop, Sunglasses- Endless.com, Leopard Leggings- American Eagle, White Slip-ons- Keds (at Zappos), Daisy Necklace- Juicy Couture (at Shopbop), Braided Bracelet- Rumor, Nailpolish- Nars (color is Hunger)
Want your school featured in “Looks on Campus”?
So far we’ve only covered Arizona.. but we’d love to see submissions from other colleges across the country!
So take a picture of yourself in your favorite outfit or grab a camera and find a stylish college girl at your school to photograph and interview! Send your favorite looks to zephyr AT collegefashion DOT net with the subject line “Looks on Campus”! Who knows, you could be here next!
Can’t wait to see what you guys come up with!
Posted on on September 18, 2009 / Filed Under: Looks on Campus / Tags: Color, Fall 2009, Keds, Leggings, Looks on Campus, Print, Stripes
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Comment Rules: CF is a positive place and our comments section is no different. Constructive criticism is fine, but if you're rude, we'll delete your comment. Please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name and do not put your website in the comment text, as both come off like spam. For more info, see our 
Little Red
I love the looks you put together, Kristina! They look really good! Plus, I love mixing patterns.
However, I think Caroline’s outfit is a bit of a mess… Sorry. The bright stripes, the snakeskin, and the purple shoes just don’t work together, in my opinion. It’s just too much going on. I think the snakeskin leggings would look much better with a solid top, which would allow the leggings to be the main focus of the outfit.
Cara
I love this girl for wearing snake-skin leggings alone, but I don’t like the purple sneakers with the red striped top…like that they match the nail polish, though :P
Marwa =)
Well.. im not a fan of mixing patterns too. I loved the looks you have created, though.. especially the second and the last ones.
However, I think Caroline’s look is too much. It just doesn’t fit. Sorry!
and I totally agree with Little Red and Cara.. =/ sorry again
Kristina - University of Arizona
Marwa: Don’t apologize =) your opinions are valid! Thanks for commenting
To all: I know Caroline’s look is a bit extreme, but I think we can all agree that we can derive inspiration from the elements of her look, no? The best part about “Looks on Campus” is being able to appreciate one, two, or even all aspects of another person’s style and then adapt it into our own wardrobes =)
xoxo
Zephyr - CF Editor
Kristina – Really good point – even if her style isn’t for you, this column is about checking out what other people are wearing and being able to draw inspiration from that.
And to everyone else who’s commenting, it’s totally fine if you aren’t a fan of her look, and you don’t have to apologize for that. That said, remember the comment policy here is to keep it classy, so know that anything overly rude or lots of criticism that isn’t constructive in any way will probably will get deleted! Make sure anything you say wouldn’t offend you if you read it about YOUR outfit on a website.
Little Red
I really do think these posts are a great way to get inspiration though. I enjoy seeing what other people are wearing. Although I might not find this outfit appealing, it’s nice to see someone who is willing to take a risk and mix colors and prints like Caroline does. That’s inspiring!
Jess
I love the fact that she uses color and has her own style. Even though its not my personal taste in style, I respect the fact that its her style.
Also I love that purple dress, its so cute and the color is fantastic.
Chelsey
I’m in love with those snakeskin leggings. I think they’d look great with suede or maybe even leather knee boots. These are my favorite posts! While I wouldn’t wear so many bold things at once (simply because I’m not brave enough), I totally get why she paired the top with those leggings color-wise.
Valeria
Well.. I agree with the girls that say that it’s not a very flattering outfit, but it is inspiring the idea, the concept.
Maybe it’s too much for one outfit. But I really loved the outfits you made, Kristina! They’re really cute! :)
I also liked the way Caroline did her nails! It’s a very good way to use come color :)
I have a question, can someone from outside the US send some pics too? Because I’m Chilean, and I would really like to send some photos from here!
Caitlin
I had the same question as Valeria, about Canadian pics!
Also, I thought Caroline’s look was interesting, one thing I would do differently though would be to wear a longer top over the leggings. I’m not really a fan of the leggings as pants thing.
I also really love her shoes and matching nail polish :)
Zephyr - CF Editor
Valeria & Caitlin – Yes, so long as you’re in college, you can definitely send us your looks! Include what school you go to and answer the questions we listed in the article (name, year in school, etc.)! Can’t wait to see them :)
Kaci
I really love the looks you put together Kristina, they are more along the lines of something I would wear if I were mixing patterns. While I could never wear something as bold as Caroline did, I really admire her for having the personality to carry it. It’s inspiring to see people take charge of their own style.
Luinae
I think I would have liked it more if she had something black (miniskirt) because I don’t like leggings on their own. Totally personal style though!
Rayna
I love the idea of her outfit, I just don’t think the pieces specifically fit right together. The colors were great, however her top just… ugh. It’s not doin’ it for me.
Julie
i really love the outfits you put together and if you get that fashion inspiration from her outfit, i’m soo impressed.
i think her outfit looks a bit sloppy but i love the way you tkae ideas from each portion of her outfit to make some really pretty combinations
Ally
The outfits that were put together by Kristina, in my opinion, are actually kinda cute, but the third one leaves me kinda “eh” as I’d have to see it on someone? I really don’t think leggings work as pants unless you have a body that is flattered by them (ie: slim figure).
I like the idea of mixing patterns but…I really can’t look at this girl’s outfit. Nothing goes together, all the elements are fighting for attention and there’s no balance…
Charlotte
While I’m not brave enough to rock Caroline’s outfit, I think her confidence to show off her great curves and bubbly smile really make it work! When I looked at the picture, I thought “Caroline’s so cute!”
Lalalina
I really liked all the outfits Kristina put together. I think you took the elements of Caroline’s style and made it WAY more accessable. That being said, I agree with many of the other’s posts, Caroline’s outfit is not flattering. It is hard for me to look at people who dress like this and think that this is a style of dress. I understand people like what they like and others want to make statements, but like Ally, I find it hard to look at her outfit. Now I know we are in college and this is a great time to experiment with our style, but I could never take someone dressed like this seriously.
Lalalina
Sorry in my last post I meant accessible…and Kristina I will definitely take you up on your offer to send in potential photos and info for this section! Thanks for opening it up to the CF readers!!!!
AJ
Nothing wrong with Arizona.:-) I notticed you hadn’t tried Grand Canyon U. yet, it’s a small campus and there are alot of really cute/funky dressers there. A very urban and global look.
Charlene
It’s not exactly my style either. I avoid mixing patterns, colors I can handle. But patterns that’s a no no for me. But then again, she seems confident enough to rock it, and that’s what really matters. :)
Lillie
I like how Caroline has her own personal style, however I don’t like the leggings as pants look, i think a longer top would look much better.
I don’t have the confidence to just wear those bold leggings!
I do like her sneakers and nails though!
Kristina - University of Arizona
Thanks for all of the feedback! I’m definitely looking forward to seeing the photos CF readers send in!!
Anne
I just wanted to say that I LOVE this post!! It was such an awesome idea. keep up the good work and I would love to see more articles just like this one! :D
Bizzy
Not a fan of this look. Too many trends all at once, but I do agree that we can take pieces of inspiration and make them work.
The one thing I have noticed about most college fashion is that women are trying SO hard to be different that they end up looking messy and too trendy, and feel like they can’t be themselves without standing out in a crowd. I’m a big fan of taking classic looks and classic pieces and trending them up in subtle ways to make them your own.
I really applaud Caroline for being fearless with her fashion, but when you’re in class I don’t think that look is appropriate. School is your job! You can be casual and fun while still being professional. I think a nice balance is what is key.
Alexis
Leggings. Are. Not. Pants.
Christiec
As much as I love the idea of this post, I’m disappointed by the looks featured so far.
I feel like most of them are ridiculous, rather than trendy and cute.
Sorry, not trying to be rude. Like I said, I love the idea of this.
Oh, and Alexis, I couldn’t agree more.
xo.
LAUREN D
Personally I think that Caroline’s outfit shows off her boldness and confidence. It is clear that she didnt think to much about the outfit and just threw it together. That is what makes it so good.
To all of the hatas, everyone just wishes that they could be that confident to wear something that out there, I know i do.
YOU GO GIRL
aish
hmmmmm……….works for her i guess
but i wouldnt make that choice 4 myself
love the cool leggings(really daring and thats wat fashion isabout)